Hose heater

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for aiding an individual using a plastic hose or pipe in an assembly or installation. The apparatus heats an end of the hose or pipe to soften the plastic, or other heat softenable material, thus making the end pliable, thereby allowing the hose or pipe to be more easily mated with a corresponding component. The apparatus is adapted for preventing the interior and/or exterior of the hose or pipe from deforming during the heating process.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/317,131, filed on Sep. 6, 2001, incorporatedherein by reference.

[0002] This application relates generally to a method and a device foraiding in the installation of a hose or pipe, and in particular toheating a plastic hose or pipe to increase its flexibility to allow itto be easily installed and/or connected in tight-fitting situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Assembling plastic hoses and/or pipes, such as those made of PVC,for example, can be difficult because such hoses and pipes often havevariations in their inner and/or outer diameters from their requiredspecifications. This can be because of difficulty in maintaining theproper diameters during manufacturing, or because of temperaturevariations in the work environment, or due to cutting or otherprocessing of the hoses or pipes, for example.

[0004] These diameter variations can make it difficult to mate and/orassemble these hoses and pipes with other hoses or pipes, or to whateverdevice or component they are to be attached. Further, it is oftendesirable to minimize the play between pipes or hoses to be mated toensure a good seal. Thus, the outer diameter of a pipe or hose to beinserted in a receiving pipe or hose is often desired to be very closein tolerance to the inner diameter of the receiving pipe or hose.

[0005] By heating the pipe or hose, a portion of the pipe or hose (suchas an end) can be made somewhat soft and pliable, making it easier tomate the pipe or hose with another fitting part or device (such asanother pipe or hose). This would allow easier and often more accuratefitting to be practiced. An apparatus and/or method to facilitate thisprocess would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Provided is an apparatus for aiding in the installation orassembly use of a hose or pipe, with the apparatus comprising a heaterand a mandrel connected to the heater. The heater is adapted for heatingthe hose or pipe to soften a portion of the hose or pipe to aid in theinstallation or assembly using the hose or pipe. Further, the mandrel isadapted for inserting inside the hose or pipe to maintain the shape ofthe hose or pipe during the heating.

[0007] Also provided is an apparatus comprising: a mandrel; a heaterconnected to the mandrel; a handle also connected to the mandrel; and ashroud also connected to the handle. The mandrel is at least partiallywithin the shroud, with the shroud forming a cavity between the shroudand the mandrel, the cavity being capable of receiving a hose or pipe.

[0008] Further provided is an apparatus comprising: a mandrel; a heaterat least partially inserted within the mandrel; a handle connected tothe mandrel; and a shroud connected to the handle. The mandrel is atleast partially within the shroud, with the shroud forming a cavitybetween the shroud and the mandrel, the cavity being capable ofreceiving a hose or pipe.

[0009] The heater is adapted for use by an individual for heating thehose or pipe to soften some portion of the hose or pipe. The mandrel isadapted for inserting inside the hose or pipe for maintaining the shapeof the interior of the hose or pipe during heating. Further, during use,the shroud at least partially covers some portion of the exterior of thehose or pipe to maintain the shape of the exterior of the hose or pipeduring the heating.

[0010] Still further provided is a an apparatus comprising: a mandrelincluding a heat-conducting material; a heater at least partiallyinserted within the mandrel; a handle connected to the mandrel; and ashroud including a heat insulating material connected to the handle. Themandrel is at least partially within the shroud, with the shroud forminga cavity between the shroud and the mandrel. The cavity is capable ofreceiving an end of a hose or pipe.

[0011] Further, the heater is adapted for heating the end of the hose orpipe to soften the end of the hose or pipe, while the mandrel is adaptedfor inserting inside the end of the hose or pipe to maintain the shapeof the interior of the end of the hose or pipe during use. The shroud atleast partially covers some portion of the exterior of the end of thehose or pipe to maintain the shape of the exterior of the end of thehose or pipe. The softened end of the hose or pipe can then be removedfrom the apparatus, thereby permitting the hose or pipe to be installedor assembled with another device or component.

[0012] Even further provided is an apparatus for aiding an installationor assembly using a hose or pipe, the apparatus comprising a heater forheating the hose or pipe to soften a portion of the hose or pipepermitting the hose or pipe to be installed or assembled with anotherdevice or component.

[0013] And still further provided is an apparatus for aiding in theinstallation or assembly of a hose or pipe, the apparatus comprising: aheater; a mandrel including a heat-conducting material connected to theheater; and a shroud including a heat insulating material connected tothe handle or mandrel. The mandrel is at least partially within theshroud, while the shroud forms a cavity between the shroud and themandrel, with the cavity capable of receiving an end of a hose or pipe.

[0014] The apparatus can be used to aid in the installation or assemblyof the hose or pipe by performing the steps of:

[0015] inserting an end of the hose or pipe into the cavity;

[0016] heating the end of the hose or pipe with the heater to soften theend; and

[0017] removing the apparatus from the end of the hose or pipe, therebypermitting the hose or pipe to be installed or assembled with anotherdevice or component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a partial embodiment of thedevice showing a front portion;

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a shows another perspective view of the partialembodiment of the device showing a rear portion;

[0020]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a more complete partialembodiment of the apparatus;

[0021]FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of mostly the primary electricalcomponents of the embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 5 shows another exploded view of the primary electricalcomponents of the embodiment; and

[0023]FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of alternative primary electricalcomponents of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] A device for heating a portion of a hose or pipe (such as an endof the hose or pipe), made of plastic or some other material that can besoftened by heating, thus facilitating assembly to another hose, pipe orother component or device, is disclosed.

[0025]FIGS. 1 and 2 show different views of an embodiment of theapparatus in a simplified figure, while FIG. 3 shows the apparatus'major components in a pre-assembled layout. FIG. 4 shows the apparatuswith electrical wiring detail for an embodiment using an electricheater. The apparatus comprises a shroud 1 with a sleeve 2 covering aportion of the shroud. The sleeve 2 is preferably comprised of aheat-insulating material (such as cork, or a PVC foam, for example) toprotect the user from contact with the shroud 1, which might become hotduring use. If the shroud is not a good conductor of heat and does notbecome substantially hot, the sleeve 2 may not be necessary.

[0026] A handle 8 is included so that a user can grasp the apparatusduring use. The handle 8 will typically need an exit 8A for electricalwires to exit, if an electric heater is used. The shroud 1 is connectedto the handle 8, such as, for example, using rivets, bolts, or screws 3,or some other means of fastening, to fix the shroud 1 to the handle 8.

[0027] A mandrel 5 is at least partially contained within the shroud 1,with the mandrel 5 also being connected and fixed to the handle 8, suchas, for example, by using rivets, bolts, or screws 9, or some othermeans of fastening. Alternatively, the shroud 1 could be directlyattached to the mandrel 5, with the handle being attached to one or bothof the shroud 1 and/or the mandrel 5. Any of these attachment methodswould be acceptable.

[0028] The mandrel 5 is placed within the shroud 1 such that the shroud1 forms a substantially cylindrical-shaped gap or cavity 5A betweenmandrel 5 and the shroud 1, with the gap or cavity 5A being open at oneend. The cylindrical shape of the gap or cavity 5A can be formed byusing a mostly cylindrical mandrel 5A along with a mostly cylindricalshroud 1. The gap or cavity 5A should be of sufficient size to receivethe portion (such as an end) of the hose or pipe to be worked upon andheated.

[0029] Alternatively, the gap or cavity 5A may be of some other shaperather than cylindrical, if the hose or pipe is of a different shape. Inthat case, the gap or cavity 5A shape should correspond to the shape ofthe hose or pipe end to be inserted. Oval, square, rectangular,triangular, or other geometric shapes can all be accommodated bymodifying the shape of the cavity 5A (by modifying the shapes of themandrel 5 and/or the shroud 1).

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the gap or cavity 5A should at leastsomewhat snugly receive the portion of the hose or pipe to be workedupon and heated, because, in a snug fit, the shroud 1 helps prevent theexterior of the hose or pipe from overly deforming or wrinkling duringheating, while the mandrel 5 helps prevent the interior of the portionof the hose or pipe to be worked upon and heated from overly deformingor wrinkling. In this case, the mandrel shape and outer diameter shouldclosely correspond to the inner diameter of the hose or pipe to beworked on, while the shroud 1 shape and inner diameter should closelycorrespond to the outer diameter of the hose or pipe. Some leeway mightneed to be provided in the size of the cavity 5A (and thereby the sizesof the mandrel 5 and/or the shroud 1) to accommodate manufacturingvariances in the hose or pipe diameters.

[0031] Further, the mandrel 5 may be made slightly tapered, such that,as the portion of the hose or pipe to be worked upon and heated issoftened, the apparatus may be used to slightly expand the innerdiameter of the hose or pipe to further facilitate assembly (asdescribed in more detail below). Alternatively, the shroud 1 could beslightly tapered to reduce the outer diameter of the hose or pipe (asdiscussed below). Tapering might also be used to allow the apparatus toaccommodate hoses and/or pipes of varying sizes and/or shapes.

[0032] The embodiment in the FIGURES show a heater 4 inserted into themandrel 5. However, alternative embodiments might include the heaterwithin the shroud 1, or further alternatives might integrate the heatermore fully with the mandrel 5, without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The preferred embodiment uses an electric rod heater 4, withthe electrical wires for the heater exiting the exit 8A. A thermostat 6,preferably mounted on the mandrel 5, is provided to allow temperaturecontrol of the heater. Alternative mounting of the thermostat mightinclude integrating the thermostat in the heater 4, for example.

[0033] Alternative heater designs might also be used, such as agas-powered (e.g., propane) heater, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

[0034] The mandrel 5 is preferably made from a heat conducting material,such as aluminum, for example, to conduct the heat from the rod heater 4to the interior of the hose or pipe being worked on. The shroud 1 couldthen be made of an insulating material to help keep the heat containedwithin the device to faster heat the hose or pipe. The heat insulatingproperties of the sleeve 2 can also help keep the heat within thedevice.

[0035] If the heater is alternatively contained within the shroud 1,then the shroud 1 could be made of a heat conducting material totransmit the heat to the hose or pipe, whereas the mandrel 5 wouldlikely then include an insulating material. However, placing the heaterwithin the mandrel 5 is seen as preferable because it best protects theuser from contact with the heat-generating and/or -transmittingcomponents.

[0036] The primary use of the apparatus will now be revealed:

[0037] The apparatus is held by a user holding the handle 8. The end ofthe apparatus (having the cavity 5A opening) is placed over the end ofthe hose or pipe to be worked on, for example, with the hose or pipeinserted into the apparatus such that the end of the hose or pipe isinserted within the cavity 5A. It is preferable that the hose or pipefit snugly within the cavity against the mandrel 5 (against the interiorof the end of the hose or pipe) and the shroud 1 (against the exteriorof the end of the hose or pipe), so that the mandrel 5 and the shroud 1are in constant contact with the hose or pipe (although the device canalso be used for less snug fits as well). The heater 4 is used to heatthe mandrel, which conducts the heat of the heater to the end of thehose or pipe, thereby softening the material of the end and therebymaking it pliable, as desired.

[0038] The snug fit of the end of the hose or pipe against the mandrel 5and the shroud 1 are desirable primarily for ensuring that the end ofthe hose or pipe maintains its proper shape, without wrinkling orbuckling. Once the end of the hose or pipe is sufficiently heated andthus softened, the hose or pipe can be mated with another hose, pipe, orother device or component, as desired. The opposite component to bemated to may be comprised of any number of substances, from plastics tometals to ceramics, or any other substance.

[0039] The softened, pliable end of the hose or pipe will then be easierto mate with the opposing component because the softened end can deformslightly, and thereby permit the mating to more easily occur. Aftermating, the end of the hose or pipe is allowed to cool, and thus harden,forming the necessary seal or mating contact. If necessary, additionalsealing means, such as the use of a glue, a gasket, a clamp, or someother type of seal can be utilized to permanently mate the hose or pipeto the opposite component.

[0040] As an alternative, the mandrel 5 or the shroud 1 might be madeslightly tapered (with the mandrel 5 growing wider toward the handle,and/or the shroud 1 diameter growing less toward the handle—althoughother tapering schemes might also be useful). By pressuring theapparatus toward the hose or pipe during softening, a tapered mandrel orshroud (or both) could be used to slightly increase the inner diameterof the end hose or pipe, or slightly decrease the outer diameter of thehose or pipe, respectively, to further facilitate assembly with theopposite component. The slight tapering will help ensure a tight fit.

[0041] The invention has been described hereinabove using specificexamples of embodiments; however, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various alternatives may be used and equivalents may besubstituted for elements, components, or steps described herein, withoutdeviating from the scope of the invention. Modifications may benecessary to adapt the invention to a particular situation or toparticular needs without departing from the scope of the invention. Itis intended that the invention not be limited to the particularembodiments described herein, but that the claims be given theirbroadest interpretation to cover all embodiments, literal or equivalent,covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for aiding in the installation orassembly use of a hose or pipe, said apparatus comprising: a heater; anda mandrel connected to said heater; wherein said heater is adapted forheating said hose or pipe to soften a portion of said hose or pipe toaid in the installation or assembly using said hose or pipe, and furtherwherein said mandrel is adapted for inserting inside said hose or pipeto maintain the shape of said hose or pipe during said heating.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shroud for covering a portionof the exterior of said hose or pipe during said heating.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 further comprising a handle connected to saidmandrel, said handle also being connected to said shroud.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein said heater is at least partially insertedwithin said mandrel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising asleeve at least partially surrounding an exterior of said shroud.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein said apparatus is used to aid in theinstallation or assembly use of said hose or pipe by performing thesteps of: inserting an end of said hose or pipe into a cavity in saidapparatus, wherein said mandrel is inserted in an opening in said end,and further wherein said shroud at least partially covers some portionof the outside of said end of said hose or pipe; heating said end ofsaid hose or pipe with said heater to soften said end; removing saidapparatus from said end of said hose or pipe thereby permitting saidhose or pipe to be installed or assembled with another device orcomponent.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handleconnected to said mandrel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidheater is at least partially inserted within said mandrel.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is used to aid in theinstallation or assembly use of said hose or pipe by performing thesteps of: inserting an end of said hose or pipe into a cavity in saidapparatus, wherein said mandrel is inserted in an opening in said end;heating said end of said hose or pipe with said heater to soften saidend; and removing said apparatus from said end of said hose or pipethereby permitting said hose or pipe to be installed or assembled withanother device or component.
 10. An apparatus comprising: a mandrel; aheater connected to said mandrel; a handle also connected to saidmandrel; and a shroud also connected to said handle, said mandrel atleast partially within said shroud, said shroud forming a cavity betweensaid shroud and said mandrel, said cavity capable of receiving a hose orpipe.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a sleeve at leastpartially surrounding an exterior of said shroud.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein said heater is adapted for heating said hose or pipeand further wherein said mandrel is adapted for inserting inside saidhose or pipe for maintaining the shape of the interior of said hose orpipe during heating, and still further wherein said shroud at leastpartially covers some portion of the exterior of said hose or pipe tomaintain the shape of the exterior of said hose or pipe during saidheating.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus is usedto aid in the installation or assembly using said hose or pipe byperforming the steps of: inserting an end of said hose or pipe into saidcavity, wherein said mandrel is inserted in an opening in said end, andfurther wherein said shroud at least partially covers some portion ofthe outside of said end of said hose or pipe; heating said end of saidhose or pipe with said heater to soften said end; and removing saidapparatus from said end of said hose or pipe thereby permitting saidhose or pipe to be installed or assembled with another device orcomponent.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, during said heatingof said end of said hose or pipe, said mandrel is adapted for insertinginside said hose or pipe for maintaining the shape of the interior ofsaid hose or pipe during heating, and further wherein said shroud atleast partially covers some portion of the exterior of said hose or pipeto maintain the shape of the exterior of said hose or pipe during saidheating.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a mandrel; a heater at leastpartially inserted within said mandrel; a handle connected to saidmandrel; and a shroud connected to said handle, said mandrel at leastpartially within said shroud, said shroud forming a cavity between saidshroud and said mandrel, said cavity capable of receiving a hose orpipe, wherein said heater is adapted for use by an individual forheating said hose or pipe to soften some portion of said hose or pipe,and further wherein said mandrel is adapted for inserting inside saidhose or pipe for maintaining the shape of the interior of said hose orpipe during heating, and still further wherein said shroud is adaptedfor at least partially covering some portion of the exterior of saidhose or pipe to maintain the shape of the exterior of said hose or pipeduring said heating.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising asleeve at least partially surrounding an exterior of said shroud. 17.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said apparatus can be used to aid inthe installation or assembly of said hose or pipe by performing thesteps of: inserting an end of said hose or pipe into said cavity,wherein said mandrel is inserted into an opening in said end, andfurther wherein said shroud at least partially covers some portion ofthe outside of said end of said hose or pipe; heating said end of saidhose or pipe with said heater to soften said end; and removing saidapparatus from said end of said hose or pipe thereby permitting saidhose or pipe to be installed or assembled with another device orcomponent.
 18. An apparatus comprising: a mandrel including aheat-conducting material; a heater at least partially inserted withinsaid mandrel; a handle connected to said mandrel; and a shroud includinga heat insulating material connected to said handle, said mandrel atleast partially within said shroud, said shroud forming a cavity betweensaid shroud and said mandrel, said cavity capable of receiving an end ofa hose or pipe; wherein said heater is adapted for heating said end ofsaid hose or pipe to soften said end of said hose or pipe, and whereinsaid mandrel is adapted for inserting inside said end of said hose orpipe to maintain the shape of the interior of said end of said hose orpipe during said, and further wherein said shroud at least partiallycovers some portion of the exterior of said end of said hose or pipe tomaintain the shape of the exterior of said end of said hose or pipe, andstill further wherein said softened end of said hose or pipe can beremoved from said apparatus, thereby permitting said hose or pipe to beinstalled or assembled with another device or component.
 19. Anapparatus for aiding an installation or assembly using a hose or pipe,said apparatus comprising a heater for heating said hose or pipe tosoften a portion of said hose or pipe permitting said hose or pipe to beinstalled or assembled with another device or component.
 20. Anapparatus for aiding in the installation or assembly of a hose or pipe,said apparatus comprising: a heater; a mandrel including aheat-conducting material connected to said heater; and a shroudincluding a heat insulating material connected to said handle ormandrel, said mandrel at least partially within said shroud, said shroudforming a cavity between said shroud and said mandrel, said cavitycapable of receiving an end of a hose or pipe; wherein said apparatuscan be used to aid in the installation or assembly of said hose or pipeby performing the steps of: inserting an end of said hose or pipe intosaid cavity; heating said end of said hose or pipe with said heater tosoften said end; and removing said apparatus from said end of said hoseor pipe thereby permitting said hose or pipe to be installed orassembled with another device or component.